Mailing-tube.



PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

A. L. GRAY. MAILING TUBE.

APPLICATION rmm JULY 3, 1005. v

' IIVVENTOR Arrow/Em 'ALONZO L. GRAY, or VANDERBILT, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAILING-TUBE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

Application filed July 3,1905. Serial No. 268,066.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it knownthat I, ALoNZo L. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Vanderbilt, county of Fayette. and State of Pennsylvania, (whose post-office address is Vanderbilt, Fayette county, Pennsylvania,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mailing-Tubes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to improvements in mailing-tubes.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel mailing-tube arranged to carry its contents safely and so that such contents can be quickly and easily withdrawn therefrom.

The object of the invention is also to pro vide a novel mailing tube comprising an outer tube and an inner tube of novel construction, and a flexible connection whereby said tubes are detachably held one within the other and whereby the inner tube may be withdrawn from within the outer tube.

The invention also has divers other objects which will be fully hereinafter set forth.

The nature of the invention will be fully understood from the following general description and the annexed drawings and will be subsequently pointed out in the claim.

Inthe annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a per spective view of my newly-invented mailingtube with the inner tube partly withdrawn and other parts extended. Fig. 2 is a pers ective view of the same with all the parts 0 osed up. Fig. 3 is a view of an adhesive band more fully hereinafter described.

A designates an outer tube, which may be made of pasteboard or some other similarly strong material. This is to be of convenient length and diameter, according to the matter to be mailed therein.

E designates a band of paper provided on one side with adhesive surfaces 0, f, and g, which may be made by covering the part with a solution of any soluble adhesive material, such as is used for pasting paper. The surface g primarily attaches this band E to one end of the tube A, as shown in Fig. 1.

I designates an inner tube. This is made of weaker material than the outer tube. It has a longitudinal cleft 'i reaching through its whole length. At It and 72, it is pierced with opposite perforations one on each side of the cleft i and near the end thereof. Through these perforations is drawn the cord K, which is fastened in the knot 1. Obviously any strong narrow strip of sufliciently-flexible material would serve the same purpose.

To use my invention, the mail-matter to be shipped is placed in the inner tube. This, with its said contents, is then slipped into the outer tube, so that the cord 7r and the band E will be on contiguous ends of the two tubes. The cord K is then folded back on the outside of the tube A and the band E is pasted over it, as illustrated in. Fig. It will then be found that the inner tube will be firmly held in its place and safely keep its contents during transportation. When it is desired to remove the mail-matter from within the tube, the operator grasps the cord K by the knot Z and tears the cord away from the band E. The cord K is then pulled so as to withdraw the inner tube I from within the outer tub eA. When the inner tube I has been so withdrawn, its contents can easily be removed.

If it be desired, a new adhesive band may be pasted on the end of the tube A, and the device may be again used for shipping other matter.

I do not strictly confine myself to the construction and arrangement hereinbefore set forth, as it is evident that under the spirit and scope of my invention I am entitled to all such variations as do not depart therefrom.

Having now described what my invention is and how the same is constructed and used, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a mailing-tube, the combination with an outer tube of strong material and a paper band having an adhesive surface on one end thereof, of an inner tube of weaker material, having a cleft through its whole length, pierced with opposite perforations one on each side of said cleft near one end thereof, said inner tube being arranged to carry mailmatter and to slip into and out of said outer tube, a cord, drawn through said perforations folding on said outer tube, detaehably my invention I have signed my name, in presfastened thereon by said adhesive band, holdence of two Witnesses, this 12th day of June, ing said inner tube in position in said outer 1905.

tube, and when torn away from said band ALONZO L. GRAY. 5 affording facility for withdrawing said inner Witnesses:

tube, from Within said outer tube. J. F. MURPHY,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 1 J. H. MAOBURNEY. 

